World AIDS Day 2021: Ending the HIV Epidemic. Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice.

Published on December 3, 2021

This week, the Southern Nevada Health District and its community partners commemorated World AIDS Day. This year’s theme, Ending the HIV Epidemic: Equitable Access, Everyone’s Voice, highlights the need to address health inequities and to innovate and invest in the community to end the HIV epidemic everywhere.

As part of its efforts to address inequities and access issues in the own community, the Health District and All Saints Episcopal Church partnered to open a Sexual Health Clinic at the church. The All Saints Sexual Health Clinic officially opened to the public on December 1, offering free rapid HIV testing for World AIDS Day.

“We are making HIV testing more accessible to people in our community in a location that provides a safe space and environment,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, District Health Officer for the Health District, at the clinic’s opening.

He was joined by City of Las Vegas Councilman and Southern Nevada District Board of Health Vice-Chair Brian Knudsen; Father Rafael Pereira, priest-in-charge at All Saints; staff and community stakeholders for the event.

Other World AIDS Day events included the debut of Fast-Track Nevada, a statewide effort to end the HIV epidemic in Nevada, on the Fast-Track Cities Global HIV Dashboard. Fast-Track Nevada is the first fast-track state in the United States. A live demonstration of the dashboard was held at the Health District’s main public health center to showcase the statistics, community leadership messages, and robust services Nevada offers for HIV prevention, treatment, and care.

The event was well-attended by community partners and Health District staff. Raychel Holbert, a health educator for the Health District, led the demonstration of the new dashboard and guest speakers included Joshua Montgomery, long-time HIV prevention advocate and Health District disease investigator; John “Rob” Phoenix, APRN, and founder of the Huntridge Family Clinic; Nevada State Senator Dallas Harris; and Dr. Leguen who gave closing remarks.

In keeping with the overarching message of World AIDS Day, the speakers emphasized the many accomplishments that have been achieved due to the collective efforts of the partners while noting there is still much more that needs to be done to deliver equitable access to those most in need of resources.

Montgomery shared his journey with HIV and discussed the important work that is being done in the community to reach the goals of 90-90-90 (90% of all people living with HIV knowing their status — 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection receiving sustained antiretroviral therapy — 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy having viral suppression) and zero new HIV infections and zero AIDS-related deaths.

“Throughout the years, I have seen both positive and negative changes with HIV/AIDS — medication being a positive change. The advancement of antiretroviral therapy has made it easier for many people living with HIV to adhere to medication and live longer lives. We must seize this opportunity and not let our diagnoses define us; we are so much more than that,” said Montgomery.

Phoenix focused on the role everyone brings to ending the HIV epidemic. He noted the progress that had been made — in treatments, the availability of resources, and overcoming stigma — while underscoring the challenges and barriers to access that still need to be addressed.

He discussed the stigma that still surrounds the modes of transmission of HIV, and the misconception that everyone will die from AIDS. He stressed the need for health care providers to be more comfortable having conversations with patients about sex and their sexual histories.

“Sex is normal. Sex is good. We need to continue to normalize that message. Talking about sex does not make people do it more, it helps them do it safer. Every provider should be engaging patients about prevention and testing,” said Phoenix.

Senator Howard outlined the legislative successes from the past session and the areas where work still needs to be done. She told the partners that Nevada has legislative champions who are willing to support measures that advance that help to increase access and equity of services as well as a governor who will sign the legislation into law – something that is not the case everywhere.

World AIDS Day 2021 has ended, but the Health District and its partners’ efforts to end the HIV epidemic by ensuring equitable access and that everyone’s voice is heard remains an enduring commitment.

All Saints Sexual Health Clinic

Services are available on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday between 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Services include testing for HIV and STDs, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV infection, telehealth visits with a Health District provider, sexual health education and condoms. Services are available by appointment. Call (702) 759-1700.

Southern Nevada Health District Sexual Health Clinic

Services are available by appointment only at the Health District’s Sexual Health Clinic at 280 S. Decatur Blvd., Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. — 5:30 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  Call (702) 759-1700.

Collect2Protect

Collect2Protect provides free at-home HIV testing kits. At-home test kits for gonorrhea and chlamydia are also available. Visit the Collect2Protect site for more information: www.snhd.info/c2p.

2021-12-13T08:34:45-08:00
Skip to content